China.- Clerc (Nicolas Gabriel) Yu le Grand et Confucius, Histoire Chinoise, first edition, contemporary cat's paw calf, Soissons, Ponce Courtois, 1769 & another (2)

£400 · At auction with Forum Auctions

China.- Clerc (Nicolas Gabriel) Yu le Grand et Confucius, Histoire Chinoise, first edition, woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials, 8 folding letterpress tables, Approbation/Privilege and errata leaves at end, occasional light foxing and water-staining to upper edge, tear to 3V2 without loss, contemporary cat's paw calf, spine gilt with red morocco label (very slightly chipped), a little rubbed, a few slightly worn patches, [Cordier BS 1, 604; Lust 1275; Lowendahl 549], Soissons, Ponce Courtois, 1769; and a first edition of Pétis de la Croix's Histoire du Grand Genghizcan of 1710 but lacking the folding engraved map, 4to & 8vo (2) *** Popular history of the legendary Chinese emperor, Yu, and Confucius, written by Nicolas-Gabriel Clerc (1726-1728) for the young Grand Duke of Russia, later Tsar Paul I, extolling the Chinese model of rule as an example of virtuous monarchy. Several sections compare Russia and China as vast empires. The folding tables are largely concerned with trade between the two countries.

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